December 16, 2014

Christmas is a favorite holiday for most. It is a time of giving, and for Christians; it is a time to remember the birth of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. For others, Jesus Christ is offensive. Therefore, some individuals, businesses, or politicians, have decided to insert “Merry Christmas” with “Happy Holidays” to not offend certain groups of people.

If we were to use the same concept for other holiday, should we change Veterans Day and Memorial Day to World Peace Day for those that don’t believe in war? Should we stop celebrating President Washington and President Lincolns’ birthday or change the name of our Independence Day on the 4th of July to a date of world influence to accommodate those that are here from another country to make it more inclusive?

Since atheists don’t believe in Jesus, should we go to a new calendar with the start of a different year? After all, the Gregorian calendar that is currently used aligns the years according to the birth of Christ. (B.C. stands for “Before Christ” and A.D. stands for “Anno Domini”, which is translated to “In the year of our Lord.”) Should we also change the seven day week since it was created by God numbering the days of creation?

Throughout American history, Christianity was aligned with our government. President George Washington once stated, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and to humbly implore His protection and favor.” President George Washington also later said, “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.”

“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” Chief Justice John Jay, October 12, 1816

“We recognize no Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!”- President John Adams

“I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.” – President Thomas Jefferson

In 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill that made Christmas a Federal Holiday.

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan stated, “On Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ with prayer, feasting, and great merriment. But, most of all, we experience it in our hearts. For, more than just a day, Christmas is a state of mind.” “Christmas means so much because of one special child” and that many “of us believe in the divinity of the child born in Bethlehem, that he was and is the promised Prince of Peace.”

If the federal government and our great leaders recognized the birth of Christ and America as a Christian nation, why are our communities and schools threatened to express their references to Jesus Christ or a mere “Merry Christmas”. It is because organizations such as the ACLU, which was established by self-proclaimed communists, wanted to suppress Christianity through a godless revolution. Christianity was a threat where people relied on God and not government. They falsely invoked “Separation of Church and State”; but nowhere is that phrase found in the Constitution.

Wishing someone “Merry Christmas” is full of American history and tradition. Anything else that would be offensive.

“Merry Christmas”

Frank Aquila is a Manteca resident and president of the South San Joaquin Republicans. He is also the author of the book, Sarah Palin Out of Nowhere” and can be emailed at mantecarepublicans@yahoo.com